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Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers are a demographic cohort commonly defined as people born between 1946 and 1964, following World War II and preceding Generation X.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Baby Boomers are a demographic cohort commonly defined as people born between 1946 and 1964, following World War II and preceding Generation X. The term refers to the postwar rise in birth rates in the United States and other countries, often called the baby boom. In Canada, the same broad generational label is used, though demographic boundaries can vary slightly by source.

Definition

Baby Boomers are a generational cohort defined by birth during the post–World War II baby boom. Most modern references use 1946 to 1964 as the standard range, though some sources use slightly different dates.

Historical background

The term reflects the period of increased birth rates that followed World War II, especially in the United States and other developed countries. This demographic shift shaped population growth and later age-structure trends.

Cultural and social significance

Baby Boomers have been widely discussed in relation to mid-20th-century prosperity, social change, and later debates about retirement, healthcare, and pensions. The cohort has also been associated with major political and cultural shifts in the postwar era.

Usage of the term

In everyday English, "boomer" is a shortened form of baby boomer. The term is used neutrally in demographic contexts, though it can also appear in more informal or sometimes pejorative usage.

Key facts

  • The label comes from the sharp increase in births after World War II.
  • The cohort is commonly defined as those born from 1946 to 1964.
  • Baby Boomers are generally placed between the Silent Generation and Generation X.
  • The term is used in demographic, social, and cultural analysis.
  • Definitions can vary slightly by country and source.
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Canadian context

Canadian English commonly uses the same broad generational label, although demographic boundaries can vary slightly by source and country. Canadian readers may also encounter the term in discussions of aging, retirement, and population change.

Frequently asked questions

What years are Baby Boomers born in?
They are most commonly defined as people born from 1946 to 1964.
Why are they called Baby Boomers?
The name comes from the postwar “baby boom,” a period of sharply increased birth rates after World War II.
Which generation comes before Baby Boomers?
The Silent Generation is generally considered to come before Baby Boomers.
Which generation comes after Baby Boomers?
Generation X generally follows Baby Boomers.
Are the date ranges fixed worldwide?
No. 1946 to 1964 is the most common range, but some sources and countries use slightly different dates.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_boomers
    Supports: Common definition of Baby Boomers as the demographic cohort born from 1946 to 1964, preceded by the Silent Generation and followed by Generation X.
  2. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/baby-boomer
    Supports: Definition of baby boomer as a person born during the post–World War II baby boom, with date ranges that vary by region.
  3. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baby%20boomer
    Supports: Definition of baby boomer and note that the term especially applies to people born in the U.S. following World War II, usually 1946 to 1964.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/baby-boomers
    Supports: Describes baby boomers as members of the generation born during the postwar surge in births and notes the U.S. Census Bureau's mid-1946 to mid-1964 boom period.